Messi made all the difference in the World Cup semi finals and was too much to handle for Croatia, as they failed to reach the finals but should be proud of their World Cup campaign as coach Zlatko Dalic stated: “I can’t blame my boys for anything. We were in control for the first half hour, but then we conceded a goal after that penalty.” Croatia had an impressive World Cup beating Brazil and Japan in their wake.
But of course the main issue for Croatia was none other than Lionel Messi, a player Dalic was quick to credit: “Messi being the player of such quality and motive and to have 50,000 supporters. Messi can take one step further and make the difference, which he did for the third goal.” He scored the first and set up the second and third for Alvarez. Messi stands one goal behind Mbappe in the golden boot race.
He was awarded man of the match for his performance and credits his team for the performance: “This is a very wise squad. We know what to do in every second of the game. We knew the Croatians would have the ball possession but we knew this could be our strength”.
Croatia’s dream of their first ever World Cup is over and Argentina are set to Play Morocco or France in the final, which will be decided tonight at 7pm. Messi says to bring it on ahead of the final: “It has been very difficult because every game has been a final for us – there has been a mental load. But we’ve played five finals and luckily won them all. I hope we can win the sixth one.”
